Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi`s death "terrible loss to cricketing world": Sachin

Tendulkar paid tribute to Pataudi, saying that world cricket will badly miss a hero like him.

"It`s a terrible loss to the cricketing world. I had the privilege of meeting him on a few occasions. World cricket will miss a hero like him. I really respected him," Tendulkar said in his condolence message.

Gavaskar expressed shock at the demise of Pataudi, whom he called the most charismatic cricketer of his generation.

"This is very sad news indeed. Only a few weeks ago we saw him in England at the presentation of the Pataudi Trophy and he looked his usual self. Therefore to get this news is a shock," Gavaskar said in a statement.

"Tiger Pataudi was the most charismatic cricketer of his generation. To bat with almost zero vision in one eye and still to score nearly 3000 runs and half a dozen centuries in Test cricket tells you what a genius he was. He will be terribly missed and it`s a huge loss to the game of cricket," he said.

Another former captain Sourav Ganguly remembered Pataudi for his class and dignity.

"I am extremely saddened hearing the news about Pataudi passing away. My heartfelt condolence to his family and may his soul rest in peace," he said.

PTI

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Akhtar targets Sachin; admits to ball tampering in his memoir

Zeenews Sports Bureau

New Delhi: Controversial former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar created a stir by claiming that master batsman Sachin Tendulkar is not a match-winner and was scared of him.

In his just-published autobiography "Controversially Yours", the temparamental Pakistan speedster has accused Tendulkar of being scared to face his scorching pace on a slow Faisalabad track.

"....Vivian Richards, Ricky Ponting, Brian Lara and the likes of them are great batsmen who dominated with the bat and were truly match-winners. Initially, when I bowled against Sachin, I found these qualities missing. He might have had more runs and records, he lacked the ability to finish the game," he said in the book, to be formally launched here this evening.

Akhar in his book also singled out former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram saying that the left-arm pacer tried to destroy his career. He cited an example where Akram threatened to pull out of the team with half the side if Shoaib found a place in the team.

About his IPL experience Shoaib also slammed KKR owner and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan and the then IPL chairman Lalit Modi alleging that they cheated on him. He said that they got him to agree to something which he still regrets.

But the most sensational aspect of his controversial book is the chapter where he admitted that he tampered with the cricket ball in number of times. He claimed that it’s not just him but everyone does it.

As a solution he suggested that ball tampering should be legalised in the larger interest of the game.

"What went in our favour was that Sachin was suffering from tennis elbow! This severely handicapped the great batsman. We managed to psychologically browbeat him.

"We bounced the ball at him and were able to unnerve him. I returned to the dressing room that first day with the knowledge that Sachin was not comfortable facing fast and rising ball. He was distinctly uncomfortable against me. That was enough to build on", he said.

With PTI inputs

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Below my dignity to react to Shoaib’s comment: Sachin

New Delhi: Retaliating to the comment made by Shoaib Akhtar, Sachin Tendulkar has stated, "it is below my dignity to react to Shoaib’s comment".

Shoaib, in his autobiography, “Controversially Yours”, had taken a dig at the master blaster stating that Sachin was scared to face him and he is not a born match winner. He has made many other such startling revelations in his book.

Akhtar goes onto say that he intimidated master blaster Tendulkar with his delivery during the Faisalabad Test.

"I bowled (Sachin) a particularly fast ball which he, to my amazement didn`t even touch. He walked away! That was the first time I saw him walk away from me that, too, on the slow track at Faisalabad," Akhtar wrote.

"I think players like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid weren`t exactly match winners to start with, nor did they know the art of finishing the game."

Akhar in his book also singled out former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram saying that the left-arm pacer tried to destroy his career. He cited an example where Akram threatened to pull out of the team with half the side if Shoaib found a place in the team.

About his IPL experience Shoaib also slammed KKR owner and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan and the then IPL chairman Lalit Modi alleging that they cheated on him. He said that they got him to agree to something which he still regrets.

Bureau Report

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Kambli hits out at Shoaib Akhtar over Sachin claim

Mumbai: Former India cricketer Vinod Kambli on Friday lashed out at retired Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar for claiming that iconic Indian batsman and his long time buddy Sachin Tendulkar was afraid of his bowling.

"Sachin was never scared of Shoaib or anyone. The way he plays his cricket and has scored the highest runs (in Tests and ODIs)...No one is close to him and no one can speak about him like that," Kambli told reporters here after announcing his retirement from first-class cricket.

In a lighter vein, the left-hander, who shared a world-record 664-run partnership with Tendulkar in school- level cricket in 1980s, said, "He feared only my bowling."

Akhtar has claimed in his recently released biography, `Controversially Yours`, that Tendulkar was afraid of facing him.

Kambli also refuted allegations that he had accused Tendulkar of not helping him in times of need, while taking part in TV reality show `Sach ka Saamna` two years back.

"We have a very good friendship since 25 years."

The 39-year-old, who represented India in 17 Tests scoring 1,084 runs at an average of 54.20 besides 2,477 runs in 104 ODIs, said though he wanted to play alongside Tendulkar for one last time and also in the Indian Premier League (IPL), but that could not happen.

"Till the last year, I was raring to go. My fans wanted me to play even in the IPL. If Sachin is fit at this age, why can`t I be?

"I served Mumbai (cricket) for long, but the selectors ignored me. I`m disappointed," he said, getting emotional.

"I performed well in Test cricket but unfortunately I didn't have a long career. I was the fastest to score 1,000 runs (in Tests for India). I thank the BCCI, Mumbai cricket for whatever they have given me," Kambli maintained.

Kambli said his tears during India's loss in the 1996 World Cup semi-final against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata were real and he had cried for the nation.

"The emotions that came out during the 1996 World Cup were true. I cried for the nation. I thought seriously that we had the talent to win that World Cup. We were in a strong position and then we faltered."

Kambli, who has also played first-class cricket for South African team Boland, said he had informed about his decision to retire to Tendulkar, along with his coaches and family member, and he has wished him well.

He said he wished to take up coaching and produce good cricketers.

Kambli has scored 9,964 runs, including 35 centuries, from 129 first-class matches with an average of 59.67.

PTI

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